Saturday, November 26, 2016 • Page 1B
Pinemont home reaches 75 the
Chase Bank: One closes, one opens
By Cynthia Lescalleet For The Leader Still owned by a member of the family that built it back in the day, the last remaining original home fronting Pinemont Drive east of Ella Boulevard will be observing its 75th anniversary in December. Quietly, however. What with all the roadway and drainage work (still) underway in front of the singular property, it’s unlikely a banner will fly to mark the occasion. But the home’s milestone is notable nonetheless for the neighborhood, the family that owns it – and the long-term tenant who appreciates the well-maintained home’s vintage vibe. The Back Story Homeowner Diane Buchanan Payne, now of Spring, says her late parents sought to move into the country when they purchased the land previously occupied by Connor Dairy Farm. At the time, the two-block street off Shepherd Drive was called Pierson Road and it was a deadend – with no bus service. “People thought they’d lost their minds,” she says. The young couple had been
Kim Hogstrom For the Leader
Photo supplied They don’t make them like that anymore. The last remaining original home fronting Pinemont Drive east of Ella Blvd will celebrate 75 years in December.
renting a room with a kitchen and bathroom privileges in Houston’s West End. Their landlady apparently found them charming; she lent them the $500 for the purchase of a place of their own, one fitted with indoor plumbing, electricity and a 1.5 acre lot. Shingle-sided and set back from the street on a deep lot, the home came with two bedrooms, a bathroom, living and dining rooms and a kitchen with breakfast nook. Its wide front porch has been catching
breezes, conversations and the friendly waves of passersby for decades. Timing Proved Historic James and Mildred Buchanan were ages 28 and 21 when they signed the final paperwork and took possession – the day before the attack on Pearl Harbor. As family lore has it, Payne’s mother was worried the war would take her husband, leaving her to make the monthly See Historic P. 2B
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By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com Much of the time I come up with my own stories for The Leader. Sometimes I get a suggestion from the publisher, which of course more often than not, I accept. This one was an article about tenant change on 19th Street and rising rents on the popular shopping street. Guess how many people were chomping at the bit to talk to me on the record about real estate prices and rising rents on 19th Street? Crickets. So I delayed my piece for a few weeks and kept digging. Someone who had to talk to me as part of his job is Jacob Millwee, president of the Greater Heights Chamber of Commerce. Millwee can talk both sides of the issue as any good community leader should. He says that while much of the growth experienced in the retail realm is fantastic because it encourages the arrival of new business, he echoes many in saying he wants to maintain the unique character of the Heights. “The Heights has a wonderful sense of identity that sets it apart,” he said. He doesn’t necessarily want to avoid chains – because there are good ones – but also thinks it is important to avoid mass commercialization. From a landlord’s perspective, he understands that the dirt on the ground is more expensive. And that rents may need to reflect that. Wanting to recoup your increased property taxes and utility bills is one thing and wanting to maximize your revenue possibilities is another, and both realities are currently in play on 19th Street. In the past a mom and pop store may have needed a little bit of a grace period some months to get the rent paid. Contrast that with a reliable rent payer – chain or not – and
Chase Bank has announced the closing of their branch at 1351 W 43rd St effective December 17. It will be consolidated with the new branch at 4320 Ella Blvd which is currently under construction. “We are constructing a new, larger building on the lot where the old branch used to be, and expanding the branch’s services,” said bank manager Angelique Montoya. “The new location will also offer easier access from both streets at the corner.” The new building will offer full service banking with two, new drive-up ATMs according to Greg Hassell, Executive Director of JPMorgan Chase & Co. “The new branch will also feature the latest technological innovations, including next-generation ATMs with enhanced capabilities,” Hassell said. “For instance, customers will be able to use their smartphone to take out cash from Chase ATMs later this year. No card needed. The machines also allow customers to customize the cash they withdraw, including $1 bills.”
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Photo by Betsy Denson Gen’s Antiques is one of a handful of antique stores left on 19th St. Owner Greg Nolte says he moved to a smaller space to downsize.
you see the dilemma. “Landlords are trying to feel out the situation,” said Millwee. “There’s the individual landlord’s success and the community’s success.” Kristal Kirksey, the owner of Jubilee and the informal leader of the 19th Street business association, says she wants the Heights to stay funky and quaint. She’s bummed at the recent loss of Chippendale Eastlake Antiques. “I have no desire to be Rice Village or Highland Village,” she said. “If rents keep going up, it might change.” She’s thankful she got to buy her building last year but says she hears from those who don’t own that they are concerned. “I want us to stay special,” she said. One person who’s been around for more than a decade on the street is Greg Nolte with Gen’s Antiques, who recently relocated to 373 W 19th from 540 W 19th, moving from 9,000 square feet to 3,000 square feet, not because he was forced to, but because his business partner died and he wanted to downsize. He laughs because other tenants have come to welcome him to the street, not realizing he’s been in four different spots along 19th over the years.
Nolte remembers when there were 14 antique stores on the street. Now there’s only a handful left. “For the Round Top and Quilt Festival crowd, we used to be a destination for antiques,” he said. “I don’t think we are anymore.” Long time proprietor of Carter & Cooley Neil Sackheim said his business model hasn’t changed and he is thrilled to remain on the street. “People still demand the type of food I have,” he said. Sackheim said he can envision 19th Street as an epicurean corridor. “Food seems to be a universal attraction, and is neighborhood friendly,” said Sackheim. He holds nearby Penzeys Spices up as an example of a high quality chain store which is a good addition to the street. Others make that distinction as well. Millwee prefers a Torchy’s Tacos to a Taco Bell. Franchise owners are locals too. In early 2017, Luis Rabo and wife Amber are opening We Olive and Wine Bar in the space formerly occupied by 18 Hands Gallery. It’s a nationwide culinary focused retail store that sells artisan domestic olive oils, vinegars, gourmet foods, and giftware. Rabo
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